56 dogs and 9 llamas among dozens of animals seized in investigation north of Calgary

A large animal seizure in Mountain View County is putting more strain on the Alberta SPCA and other animal welfare organizations in the province.

On Tuesday, the SPCA was asked to help out with an RCMP investigation in the large municipality located halfway between Calgary and Red Deer.

When its officers got to the site, they found 82 animals in distress: 56 dogs, 9 llamas, 10 sheep, four chickens and three geese.

All the animals are being medically assessed at caretaking facilities, the SPCA said in a news release.

That, however, has added to the pressures on the organization, according to Leanne Niblock, the Alberta SPCA's executive director.

She said a number of factors, including the economy and the environment, are making it more difficult to keep animals in its care.

"Our team, and the animal welfare community as a whole, is facing unprecedented pressure this spring," Niblock said.

"Rising costs of living, lingering impacts of the pandemic, and climate change leading to drought and wildfire just exacerbate the already desperate situation."

The animals from the most recent seizure add to what the organization said is already a large number being looked after by the Alberta SPCA.

Since the beginning of March, around 250 animals have been seized by or surrendered to peace officers with the SPCA. Most of those animals, it said, came from four investigations.

"Yes, financial pressure is one of it, but really it's also a need for space," Niblock said. 

"It wouldn't be uncommon for us to seize 20, 30, 40 animals from one property."

The SPCA added that most shelters and rescues in the province are at capacity and they are constantly looking for foster families until the animals can be adopted into permanent homes.

"If fostering is not an option, please consider making a donation to help ease the financial stress Alberta's animal welfare organizations face," the organization said in a news release.

The investigation into the animals seized Tuesday is continuing.